TORONTO -- Dougie Hamilton of the Niagara IceDogs was named the Ontario Hockey Leagues defenceman of the year Tuesday. Jay Ratliff Bears Jersey . Hamilton led all OHL defencemen in scoring with 72 points in just 50 games and tied for third in the league with a plus-minus rating of plus-37. He scored 17 goals and finished tied for third overall in the league with 55 assists, which included a league-high 30 assists recorded on the power play. "This year has been a ton of fun and it is a huge honour to win this award," Hamilton said in a release. "I spent the last couple of years watching the best defencemen in the league and then trying to get myself to that point and it is exciting to be here now and receive this award. "A lot of past winners have gone on to NHL careers and hopefully I can follow suit." The 18-year-old from Toronto was taken ninth overall by the Boston Bruins at the 2011 NHL draft and earned a bronze for Canada at the 2012 world junior hockey championship. Scott Harrington of the London Knights was second in voting for the award, followed by Cody Ceci of the Ottawa 67s. Matt Forte Bears Jersey . "Atlantic is ours," read the shirts, delivered by the league that afternoon. Moments earlier they learned that, for the second time in franchise history, the Raptors will be crowned division champions, also earning home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Jordan Mills Bears Jersey .Y. -- Buffalo Bills defensive end Mark Anderson has been ruled out for Sundays regular-season finale against the New York Jets. OKLAHOMA CITY -- Russell Westbrook apparently is a quick healer. The All-Star point guard, sidelined for the past six months with a knee injury, was set to return to the Oklahoma City Thunder lineup for Sunday nights home game against the Phoenix Suns, weeks earlier than expected. Westbrook was slated to start instead of easing back into action. "Rehab is a tough process," Westbrook said. "Im going to continue to rehab throughout the season, before the game, whatever I need to do to stay healthy throughout the year. Its a tough process, but Im thankful for . everybody that supported me throughout the process. "Im just happy to be back on the floor." Before Sunday, Westbrook hadnt played since tearing the lateral meniscus in his right knee during the second game of the NBA playoffs last April. The injury occurred when Houston Rockets guard Patrick Beverley banged knees with him while going for a steal after Westbrook had stopped to call a timeout. Westbrook underwent an initial surgery for the injury on April 27. He underwent another surgery on Oct. 1 to remove a loose stitch from the first procedure. At the time, the Thunder said he would miss the first four to six weeks of the regular season. Under that timetable, Westbrook could have been out for as many as 22 games. Insteead, he missed only two games - a win at Utah on Wednesday and a loss at Minnesota on Friday. Danny McCray Bears Jersey. Westbrook said he never expected to be out four to six weeks. "I dont know who made that up in the first place," he said. "I was never on that timeline at all. I was just taking it day by day and going one day at a time until I was ready to play." Thunder General Manager Sam Presti called Westbrooks rehabilitation process "methodical" and said it "has been instrumental in getting Russell to this point." Presti said the process included physical and medical benchmarks, the final one being "unrestricted basketball activity." Presti said the team, doctors, Westbrooks representatives and Westbrook all agreed "that returning to play was the correct next step." Thunder coach Scott Brooks said the team found out late Saturday that Westbrook would be able to play Sunday. Asked if he thought he might be a bit rusty after such a long layoff, Westbrook replied, "I expect to win. I just expect to go out there and play hard, have fun with my teammates and try to win. "Its going to be a little different, to get back in the groove of things, find a rhythm, whatever it may be. But well take it day by day and try to get it together." ' ' '
